The Jewish community of Hebron has a rich tradition of celebrating
the holiday of Tu Bishvat – the 15th of the month of Shvat – also know as the New Year
of the Trees.
the holiday of Tu Bishvat – the 15th of the month of Shvat – also know as the New Year
of the Trees.
David Avisar (1887 – 1963) the Hebron-born historian and poet wrote some of his
childhood memories about Tu Bishvat in the City of the Patriarchs & Matriarchs in
Sefer
Hevron.
“On the evening of the 15th of the month of Shvat, everything was ready and
set for the party: summer fruits and winter fruits – the seven species mentioned in the
Bible of which were praised: wheat and roasted barley, a cluster of grapes which graced
the Sukkah (father kept them in the basement) and if there are no grapes, raisins are
served… a pomegranate that lasted from the holiday, pickled olives and honeycomb.
Besides these, other foods decorated the table: carobs from the Carmel mountains and
dates from Jericho, almonds from the Sharon and peanuts from Hebron, roasted seeds and
salted legumes, oranges and mandarins from the lowlands. The sweetened and candied etrog
jam was also added to them.
Father waved the wheat and said to the firstborn: “Recite the verse, which is
blessing.” — “A land of wheat and barley, a vine, a fig and a pomegranate, a land of
olive oil and honey.” – Deuteronomy 8:08
And he added, “a land flowing with milk and honey.” We recited the blessing
and ate. The ancestors were thus honored for many years.”
Avisar continues to describe a festive meal in which neighbors and relatives from afar
were invited and children played games and sang. One of the songs recited at the Tu
Bishvat meal was Yavo Dodi, written by the famed Rabbi Israel Najara (1555 –
1625) one of the mystics of Tzfat who briefly lived in Hebron.
Today, Tu Bishvat is celebrated in Hebron with special kabbalistic Tu Bishvat seders in
the evening. During the day, schools hold special programs for children who plant
flowers and seedlings for the coming spring and help to beautify the
city.
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